A group of pupils from Oban High School who volunteer at a local soup kitchen had their efforts rewarded yesterday.
Saltire Awards certificates were handed to the students in recognition of the voluntary hours they give to Hope Kitchen on Soroba Road.
Sophie King, 17, said: “Hope Kitchen is a really welcoming environment. It is such a good place to volunteer.
“We talk to the clients, help to prepare food, serve food and help to tidy up. It is very social.”
Brendan O’Hara, MP for Argyll and Bute, was present yesterday to hand out the certificates. He said: “I first got involved with Hope Kitchen before the 2015 election. They have been a fantastic project and they know they have a big supporter in me.
“What we are seeing here today is Hope Kitchen becoming embedded in the community here. It is an integral part of the community and here young people are coming in and seeing the difficulties of life and challenges that people can face and as a community we all have a responsibility to help each other.”
Peter Bain, head teacher of Oban High School, was very proud of his pupils. He said: “To turn up and help others shows that school is about more than just gaining A and B grades it is about making a contribution to society.”
Lorraine MacCormick, service manager of Hope Kitchen, praised the efforts of the young people who give up their free time to help others. She told them: “You are a credit to yourselves, your families and your school.”